Melvin Upton, Jr., Retired


Date of Birth: 8/21/1984
Birthplace: Norfolk, Virginia

Melvin Upton, Jr, formerly known as B.J. Upton, was first drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2002 at the age of 18. After less than two seasons in the minor leagues, he was called up to the Rays in 2004 for 45 games. He then was sent back to the minors and played there through most of 2006, playing in just 50 games with the Rays that year.

Upton suffered from an injury in 2007, limiting his playing time with the Rays to 129 games. That season, he batted a career high .300 with 142 hits, 25 doubles, 24 home runs, a career high 82 RBIs, and 22 stolen bases. In 2007, he was moved from the infield (third base and shortstop) to center field.

In 2012, his last season with the Rays, Upton batted .246 with 141 hits, 29 doubles, a career high 28 home runs, 78 RBIs, and 31 stolen bases in 146 games. He became a free agent after the season ended, and he signed a five-year, $75.25 million contract with the Atlanta Braves. In 2013, he had a poor start with the Braves, batting just .184 with 72 hits in 126 games. He finished the 2014 season with 108 hits, 19 doubles, 12 home runs, 20 stolen bases, and a .208 batting average in 141 games.

Upton was traded to the San Diego Padres on April 5, 2015. He played in 87 games with the Padres in 2015 and he batted .259 with 53 hits. Defensively, he played 63 games in center field and he made 116 putouts and 1 error.

The Padres traded Upton to the Toronto Blue Jays on July 26, 2016. He finished the 2016 season with 117 hits, 15 doubles, 20 home runs, 27 stolen bases, 61 RBIs, and a .238 batting average in 92 games with the Padres and 57 games with the Blue Jays. Defensively, as a left fielder in 121 games, he made 177 putouts and 3 errors. In the postseason, he batted .182 with 2 hits and 1 RBI in 11 at-bats in 9 games.

The Blue Jays released Upton on April 2, 2017. He didn't play in the major leagues in 2017.

Upton signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians on December 21, 2017. He was released on March 19, 2018. He didn't play professional baseball in 2018.

Upton retired in January, 2019.

Statistics for Upton in twelve seasons (2004-2016) in the major leagues include:

  • 3 seasons with over 30 doubles, with a high of 38 in 2010
  • 4 seasons with 20 or more home runs, with a high of 28 in 2012
  • 8 seasons with 20 or more stolen bases, with highs of 44 in 2008 and 42 in 2009 and 2010

Career batting statistics for Upton through 2018 include:

  • 1,469 games played
  • 1,260 hits
  • 262 doubles
  • 164 home runs
  • 300 stolen bases
  • 586 RBIs
  • 1,561 strikeouts to 589 walks
  • .243 batting average

Career fielding statistics for Upton as a center fielder through 2018 include:

  • 1,159 games played
  • 2,758 putouts
  • 36 errors
  • .987 fielding percentage

Personal Life

Prior to the 2015 season, Upton decided to change his professional name to Melvin Upton, Jr.

Upton's brother Justin also plays for the San Diego Padres. The two brothers played together in the Braves outfield in 2013 and 2014.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - B.J. Upton
ESPN - B.J. Upton